Root cause:
Uncured product on skin = biggest allergy risk.

Reduce the risk by:

• Keeping gel off the skin
• Fully curing with a compatible lamp
• Wearing nitrile gloves
• Using products with full ingredient disclosure

If clients show irritation, stop use and
suggest they consult a medical professional.

When capping or pulling your brush off the free edge, excess product can sometimes build up and create a small bump.

To avoid this, pull your brush cleanly upwards and away from the free edge before placing it back down.

Try capping the free edge first, before painting the nail, this allows your main colour application to smooth out any excess.

Alternatively, you can lightly brush over the tip after capping to remove any build-up.

Always remove excess gel from your brush before painting to prevent overloading the nail with product.

It’s all in the prep and control:

• Clean and prep the nail thoroughly
• Apply thin, even coats
• Let the product self-level before curing
• Check for thickened gel (this can
  happen when the product is stored above the recommended temperature conditions)

Start with these questions:

• Was the nail properly prepped and dehydrated?
• Was the product applied too thickly?
• Did it touch the skin?
• Was the curing time followed?
• Did the client expose nails to water/oil/heat too soon?

Pro tip:
Use a compatible base, cap the free edge, and remind clients to wear gloves for cleaning or when using harsh chemicals.

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

To extend shelf life:

• Store in a cool, dark place
• Keep bottles tightly sealed
• Don’t wipe necks with acetone—it can degrade the cap seal

Properly stored, gels last 12–24 months after opening.

All gel products sold in the UK must:

• Have a CPSR from a qualified assessor
• Be listed on the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification portal
• Include full INCI ingredient labelling
• Follow strict packaging and
  traceability requirements

At The Edge, every product meets or exceeds UK and EU standards. MSDS and CPSRs are available on request.

If you’re worried about flooding the cuticle area, try using a liner brush to carefully guide the product closer to the cuticle and sidewalls. You don’t need to add more product; simply use what’s already onthe nail. A great technique is to paint the perimeter of the nail first with your liner brush, getting a neat, even outline close to the cuticle, and then use your bottle brush to fill in the rest of the nail. This gives you more control and a clean, professional finish without the risk of flooding.

Gel wrinkling can happen for several reasons. The most common cause is applying the product too thickly, especially with highly pigmented colours, which can lead to under-curing and cause the surface to wrinkle.

Other possible causes include insufficient cure time, flash-curing for too short a period, or using a weak or unsuitable lamp.

Revisit your application technique and ensure your lamp is working to full specification and is suitable for the Edge gels to fully cure.

Thin, even coats and proper curing will give you the best, long-lasting results.

If your gel looks uneven or bumpy, it usually means you’re applying too much product.

For each layer, make sure you wipe excess gel off your brush, leaving only a small amount on one side.

Apply thin, precise layers, and if needed, do three thin coats of colour rather than one or two thick ones; thick coats will not cure and will not self-level perfectly.

Avoid flooding your topcoat, as it has a thinner viscosity and can run or self-level too quickly, creating an uneven surface.

Keeping every layer light and controlled will help your gel apply smoothly and cure evenly for a perfect finish.

This is often due to incorrect application or incomplete curing. If the product is applied too thickly, the lamp won’t be able to cure the builder gel evenly throughout.

Even though the surface may appear smooth and feel hard, gel can seem cured while only being around 50% cured internally. This incomplete cure weakens the structure and can cause the product to sink, collapse, or distort over time, leading to a bumpy or uneven appearance at the client’s next appointment.

To prevent this, always apply the product in controlled, even layers and ensure the correct curing times and lamp type are used for your specific system.

This is usually down to product placement or the amount of product used. Any excess gel that pools at the sides of the free edge will cause the nail to appear wider or “fanned out.”

It can also happen if the natural sidewalls grow downward, giving the illusion of a flared shape. To correct this, make sure your sides remain parallel with the natural nail sidewalls and that the product is applied evenly down the centre and distributed into the sidewall areas, avoiding build-up. Keeping your structure balanced and controlled will give a clean, narrow finish.

No, this technique helps prevent lifting. Once the nail is finished and top-coated, use a slim 180-grit file held at a slight angle under the free edge to create a gentle bevel. Take care not to over file the shape at this stage; many nail technicians prefer to leave their final shaping until the very end of the service.

This doesn’t remove product; it bevels the product and natural nail together, allowing them to sit slightly offset and preventing separation over time. It also gives a crisp, professional finish to the free edge.

Because builder gel doesn’t need to be capped, this technique enhances the durability of the service and helps maintain a neat, long-lasting result.

Bubbles form when air becomes trapped in the gel during application or mixing. This can happen for a few different reasons:

     
Overworking the gel:
Stirring or brushing the product too much introduces air. Always float the gel gently onto the nail rather than brushing it on. 

Incorrect brush technique:
Pressing too firmly with your brush can push air into the gel. Use light, even pressure and keep your brush flat against the surface.

Mixing or shaking the pot:
Never stir, whip, or shake your gel pot before use; it will fill the product
with tiny air pockets that appear during curing.

 
Cold product:
Working in a cold room can make the gel thicker and harder to apply smoothly, which increases the risk of bubbles. Keep your products at room temperature for best results.

Acrylic and hard gel are similar in strength and durability, but the key difference is
flexibility. Hard gel is lighter and more flexible, giving a natural feel while still providing strength. Acrylic is firmer and less flexible, offering a sturdier but heavier feel on the nails. Both are suited to different client types.

Lifting usually means something went wrong in prep. Oils, dust, or product touching the skin can all cause it. It can also happen if your ratio is too wet or too dry, or if incompatible products are mixed. Always ensure thorough prep and correct
product ratio for the best adhesion. Acrylic is notorious for lifting as it is lacking in flexibility and will not stay on certain nail types.

Bubbles happen when you trap air in your bead. Press your brush firmly to the bottom of your dappen dish before picking up monomer to release air bubbles, and don’t stir the liquid. When applying, press and pat smoothly rather than scrubbing the product.

Room temperature can greatly affect your setting speeds. Warm rooms speed it up, while cooler ones slow it down. Keep your working environment consistent for better control. Do not place monomer in freezers or in microwaves!

Cracking usually means the gel has been applied too thinly in key stress areas. Always make sure the sidewalls and free edge are around credit card thickness for proper strength and flexibility.

Overloading the nail with product, or skipping a base coat, can also cause cracking or weakness over time.

Acrylic and hard gel are similar in strength and durability, but the key difference is flexibility. Hard gel is lighter and more flexible, giving a natural feel while still providing strength. Acrylic is firmer and less flexible, offering a sturdier but heavier feel on the nails. Both are suited to different client types.

Hard gel is a strong yet flexible material, making it perfect for customising nail length and shape. You can build hard gel
to almost any length or style, as long as the structure is correctly balanced and supported.

No, hard gel is a non-porous system, meaning it can’t be removed with acetone. Instead, it needs to be carefully filed down with a hand file or e-file until only a thin layer remains. This protects the natural nail while allowing you to reapply or infill safely.

That’s the inhibition layer, a normal sticky residue left after curing. It helps the next layer of gel adhere properly. Don’t worry, simply remove it with a cleanser once you’ve finished all layers or before refining the shape.

Bubbles form when air becomes trapped in the gel during application or mixing. This can happen for a few different reasons:

      
Overworking the gel:
Stirring or brushing the product too much introduces air. Always float the gel gently onto the nail rather than brushing it on.

Incorrect brush technique:
Pressing too firmly with your brush can push air into the gel. Use light, even pressure and keep your brush flat against the surface.

Mixing or shaking the pot:
Never stir, whip, or shake your gel pot before use; it will fill the product with tiny air pockets that appear during curing.

   
Cold product:
Working in a cold room can make the gel thicker and harder to apply smoothly, which increases the risk of bubbles. Keep your products at room temperature for best results.

If your hard gel is peeling rather than lifting from the corners, it’s often due to under-curing or too little product at the free edge. Check your lamp is the correct wattage and working efficiently, and make sure you’re applying the gel evenly across the nail, especially at the sides and tip.

Dip systems are designed mainly for overlays to strengthen the natural nail. You can use them with tips for short extensions, but it’s not recommended for longer lengths as the product doesn’t create the same strength or structure as acrylic or hard gel.

Yes, once the dip surface is smooth and refined, you can apply gel polish and topcoat as normal. Just ensure the surface is free of oils and dust before curing.

When applied correctly, dip nails can last up to 3 weeks before needing maintenance or removal.

Unevenness usually happens when the resin layer is too thick or applied unevenly. Always brush on thin, even coats and gently tap off excess powder after dipping.

Silk and fibreglass are ultra-light nail reinforcement systems that use a fine fabric and resin to strengthen or repair the natural nail. They’re flexible, thin, and natural-looking, perfect for clients who prefer a lightweight feel.

You can create small extensions or repairs, but silk and fibreglass aren’t designed for long-length extensions. They’re best for overlays, strength, or repairing cracks and splits.

Typically around 2–3 weeks, depending on the client’s nail growth and lifestyle. Regular maintenance or reapplication will
help them stay neat and strong.

Absolutely! Once the surface is smooth and refined, you can apply gel polish as normal. Just ensure it’s clean, dry, and
free from oils before applying.

Lifting usually means the nail wasn’t prepped properly or the fabric is placed too close to the cuticle. Always leave a 1mm gap and make sure the nail plate is fully clean and free of oils before applying resin.

This can happen if the resin hasn’t fully covered the mesh or if there’s too much texture in the fabric. Apply another thin layer of resin, let it soak in, and smooth the surface with a gentle buff once cured.

Yes, when applied and removed correctly, they’re very gentle on the natural nail. There’s no need for harsh filing, and removal is simple with acetone.

Use this text to answer questions in as much detail as possible for your customers.

The nail should be prepped as normal by removing surface shine and cuticle, and a base coat should be applied before the application of Fix 'N' Flex Gel.

Fix 'N' Flex is a putty-like gel used to repair and strengthen broken nails. It’s harder and less flexible than other systems, making it ideal for keeping splits and breaks stable. However, Fix n Flex should not be used to build a full nail. Take care with the amount of product you use, as it can build up in thickness quickly, which isn’t necessary. Only a small amount is needed to create a strong, secure repair.

Fix 'N' Flex gel should last as long as your regular gel manicure lasts. 2-4 weeks.

It’s not advisable to create a full nail out of Fix-N-Flex; however, it’s an essential tool for quick, strong nail repairs. This can be used quickly to repair any gel extension or natural nail break. A basecoat must be used when using Fix n Flex.

You cannot complete a full nail infill with Fix N Flex, but you can infill with your usual product over any Fix 'N' Flex repairs you have done. Just remember to pop a basecoat underneath it.

Cure Fix 'N' Flex in your lamp for 1 minute LED,  2 minutes UV.